Job Seeker’s Tips: How to Collaborate Well with Recruiters 

When you are struggling finding a suitable job, you can ask for help from a recruitment industry as an alternative. While recruiters can help with the critical steps of landing you a job, you need to know how to communicate with them effectively. The ability to form ongoing relationships with influential recruiters can prove more critical to your career success than any other networking outlet. So in order to influence a headhunter, you must know how to interact and cooperate with them. 

To assist you in this step, here is the list of dos and don’ts when working with recruiters: 

DOs 

• Clearly convey your career goals 

You might often get calls to interview for jobs that you are not truly interested in. One of the reasons why you should seek recruiter’s help. Therefore, when a recruiter assists you, make sure you convey your professional goals to them clearly. Conveying your goals helps both of you get a good impression from potential employers. And if you are approached for a job you are not interested in, it is best that you politely decline, thank the recruiter and tell them what interests you. 

• Allow recruiters to call the shots 

The rule of thumb here is that if you do not know the way a staffing professional likes to work, it is best to ask. Inquiring about their preferences and being compliant with those requests help build trust and foster long-term relationships. 

• Remain cordial and professional (even if you do not get the job) 

Sometimes, even though recruiters help get you that interview session, you might be rejected because the final decision remains in the hiring manager’s hand. When this happens, make sure to keep good manners and do not talk bad about recruiters from behind. How you behave when things do not go your way is important. Likewise, thanking recruiters for their time and informing them you would be interested in similar vacancies will leave the door open to work again with the individual. 

See also: The Art of Telling Jokes: How to Get a Job with Laughter 

DON’Ts 

• Be a sore loser 

Sore loser means losing your composure when things go wrong or do not go your way. Either you get the job or no is in your own hand. Recruiters are the bridge to help you get a job faster and better. 

• Be indecisive 

When a recruiter offers you an interview for a job you do not like at all, you should not attend the interview just to get in the recruiter’s good graces. Saying no to a recruiter is sometimes better than attending an interview to only please your recruiter’s feelings. Doing so will not strengthen the relationship and it might hurt you. Remember: it is either a hell yes for a job you love or a plain no. 

In short, working with a recruiter is easy when played correctly. It can benefit you as a professional because they could introduce you to many prospective employers. The only thing you should remember is to stay humble no matter the situation is in your way - as this will keep the relationship long lasting. 

Next read: Preparing for an Interview? Make Sure You Have this Follow-up Checklist!